Easy runner

I have come to the conclusion it was just as well I did not go on an expedition to find Livingstone in the heart of the Congo in 1870's as it took me 15 minutes to find Illogan in a car from a roundabout about 2 miles outside Illogan - the dangers of being 'intuitive' and ignoring directions.

Anyway, got to Anthony's late, then had to ask for some drink to take with me (I left mine at home) and then off we set...

It was about 30 seconds in to the run that I came to another conclusion: Anthony runs a lot lot faster than me! I was unable to hold a conversation, in fact I was hardly able to breath with any pattern, so I struggled to say 'you will have to go a lot slower' in the cool/ offhand manner I had intended.

Settled down into a pattern once we got on the North Coast road between the top of Portreath and Hells Mouth: Anthony would glide out in front, ease back, let me catch up and overtake and then repeat the process.

Towards the end I really did try to keep in front but to no avail. Time was 1 hour 27 minutes for 11 miles - which is 'not bad' for me. Anthony's normal time for this circuit is 1 hour 20 minutes...

I did enjoy myself (particularly the bit towards the end where I deluded myself that I was going to stop Anthony overtaking).

Superb fun. Excellent workout for me. (and something I will hopefully make a feature in my training programme).

'Better to clip a wing mirror'

'Better to clip a wing mirror' is a piece of advice passed onto me today that I shall hopefully remember next time I have to decide going down hill (c20 -25 mph) on a cycle between:

a) possibly clipping a wing mirror by getting close to a car; or,

b) giving the car a wide berth, clipping the edge of an area of removed tarmac, losing control of bike and broadsiding across the road on my knee...

I felt like crying after I had picked myself up from the my resting place in the grass verge (but could not as Simon M is an ex Marine).

Was grateful for helmet, as this took the impact when side of head bounced (gently) on road, and leggings which took some of brunt off grazing and also meant I did not have to look at bloodied knees until I got home! Was also grateful for lovely coffee and cake bought by Steve at Godrevy Cafe.

Did not exactly 'scrub' the wounds as Simon M had suggested but did pat them with soap whilst in shower and Julie used dettol wipes (with relish) after to ensure clean.

P.S. Apparently the reason why cyclists shave their legs is to reduce chances of grit etc getting caught in hair follicles.

Thanks for memories

'This is a not a love song' - a song that always take me back to a time, a place and a slight regret (not seeing PIL play at the St Austell Coliseum in 1984/85). Apart from this and an association of 'This Corrosion' by Sisters of Mercy and 'Sweet Child O'Mine' by Guns and Roses with my final exams at Sheffield Poly I have a very poor memory; which is a shame.

Having hung up my 5-aside football boots on Tuesday I hope I can hold onto/ recall some of the memories of playing for the 'B's': a team that played with passion and fight. Some would have referred to us as 'bad losers' but to me we were just displaying passion...

I do hope the memory of my last two games soon fades - a 'pass' across the face of my own goal that led to the oppositions (are biggest rivals) first goal in the first game and then the ignominy of being pushed over and then feeling to need to square up to a lad who would have pulverised me if it had 'kicked off' in the second game; among the 'highlights'. (Nick, maybe you were right - I am the 'Bs' Phillipe Senderos...)

We did finish 2nd in the league twice, once losing out in the last game of the season, got to the cup semi final once and beat our 'A' team once. My favourite games (those that I can remember) were 2 draws; one against a firm of solicitors which we drew 4-4 (in an superb game) and one against a bank where we drew 1-1 (I did not play much of that game but our team which featured two ladies, fought superbly and our goalie was superb). My proudest moment - picking up a (one) nomination for 'best player in a season' (Alright, it may have been someone having a joke!)

But main thing is difficult to put into words - a feeling of being part of something at one level and most intimate was being part of the 'B' team, on a wider level being part of the 'Professional Services League' often a topic of conversation within the Cornish Business Community. (honestly!).

I may return to '5 aside memories' in future blogs but for now thanks to; Nick, Andrew, Ian, Jason, Jess, Sara, Jon, Nick and all the ringers who have played for us particularly Rob, Hugh and Dave (Dave, I hope your calf muscle is better). And to all those who played for the 'A' team.

Thanks for the enjoyment and for putting up with me!

Stargazer - a faller at flat rocks

Went for a run on the beach in Perranporth this evening. At the start of the run I was pelted my hail stones - which stung. The sky then cleared up in large patches and these patches were filled with stars.

It is not normal for me to think too much about the 'universe' but tonight I was. I do not generally have much admiration for space travel - feeling that the money/ effort could be 'better applied sorting out this planet' but as I gazed at the night sky I could understand the pull of unknown.

As a plane's lights mingled with the stars I also had a feeling of wonder at what man had achieved (technologically).

I was just beginning to think of trying to draft a poem when I splashed into a knee deep 'moat' that was surrounding an exposed rock at flat rocks. I then hit said rock with shins and knees.

Could not assess extent of any cuts until I got back into street lite area and was then pleased to see some blood - which I could show off to Julie. Her response was 'properly looks worse than it is' - which was factually correct.

Wind is howling out there now - cycle in tomorrow is going to be fun!

Flat and dropped by the peloton - 2?

Flat and dropped by the peloton - 1

'Must have more self belief' was an expression Dave used at work this week and it was a phrase I thought of when I got home from cycling today.

Really struggled from Quintrell Downs all the way back to Perranporth. I was working really hard (most of the time) but just could not get momentum. Got dropped off the back of the small peloton and could even see the other 3 once we got to Rejarrah. All the time I was thinking 'my back tyre seems flat' and I would look down and it seemed a bit flat but I was not sure. Anyway when I (finally) got back home I checked and the tyre was flat - not completely - but significantly deflated.

Next time I must:

a) have the self confidence to think 'flat tyre' as opposed to 'slow rider'

b) get it fixed straight away

I am absolutely shattered now...

(Pictures are of Chrissie Wellington who recently won woman's race at Ironman Hawaii for the 2nd time. This 2nd victory even after she had a 10 minute stop for a puncture. To slightly modify the phrase used to describe Rimmer's alter ego in Red Dwarf - 'What a lady')

Ethereal realisation

Ran out of everything* (resolve + enthusiasm) by the end of the week -

1. No run on Wednesday or Thursday
   
2. No swim tonight
   
3. Increasing numbers of coffees and cakes/ biscuits
   

Reason = work** or rather I allowed work to be consumptive.

Still I did manage 60 miles of cycling, 6.5 miles of running and 40 lengths of swimming.

Also have got myself a 'running mate', Anthony, who I will be going out running with at weekends - starting next Sunday at 9.30am (I am writing this so I do not forgot). Anthony, will be planning a route of between and 10 and 14 miles - which is going to be tough for me as a) further than I have run since March/ April and b) Anthony is faster than I am. It will be good to be challenged... other challenge this gives me is fitting in swim (surf) with Si!

Was good to catch up with royzy yesterday and hear of his trip to Bradford - you can read about adventures on http://www.royzy.co.uk/

* have just watched 'Unreported World' on Cult of the Thugs - Venezuela, Caracas, which it self followed an appeal for aid from DEC for people suffering in the DR Congo. So fully appreciate the scale of my exaggeration.

**Also appreciate I am fortunate to have a job; particularly one I enjoy.

Voices in the desert

Did my cycle and a short run tonight; which is a good start to this phase of training.

Did not do as well with 'one coffee' a week - with Dave making me a cup at 9am and then buying a cafe nero at lunch time. I had felt a 'need' for coffee and had a voice in my head (Dave or Julie's?) as I was in town at lunch time repeating over and over 'need coffee', 'need coffee'...

I have also struggled to say 'no' to biscuits with Tom leaving them on my desk! Have withstood that temptation better than coffee.

Tomorrow is a business/ network breakfast at Bedruthan Steps Hotel. I will try and run the beach before I depart and then go swimming after work.

My evolution?- a new resolve

After Arsenal's defeat yesterday I got a bit teasy and as soon as game finished decided to hoover the car and then destroy the copious lists of goals and tasks that littered my Filofax (very 80's I know!) - and start again.

Have 20 'new' items to clear in the week ahead... (or should I say 'that I will clear in the week ahead').

Saw Dylan Moran at HFC last night. Whilst not as good as Eddie Izzard was still excellent and I am finding myself smiling as I type this as I think of some of his material (observations). Dave and Dean took tickets that I had bought for royzy and Lisa (royzy being on his way back from Bradford last night). Hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.

Interestingly, both Eddie and Dylan had more than a few words to say about creationism (as well as God(s) and Silvio Berlusconi).

Dylan's choice of music just before he came was good, including as it did Arctic Monkeys (which I have listened to today as a result) and the theme from 'the Wire' - best TV series ever?

Anyway, a 'new me' is going to sign off and make a 'traditional cooked breakfast' (well traditional for a vegetarian....) for lunch.

P.S. I do know how lucky the 'old me' was.

Run: slow but satisfying

After some deliberation decided to run to St Agnes and back this morning - returning along the cliffs. I had thought about running toward's Holywell Bay so I could have a James Bond 'theme' to today (off to see Quantum of Solace this evening and a scene of Die Another Day was filmed at Holywell Bay). In the end the allure of the cliff path between St Agnes and Perranporth won.
Wore my Walsh's. Terrain was not ideal: I am concious that any running on roads may damage/ wear down the 'spikes'.

Started sluggish but felt good at the end (but isn't that always the way!). Took 1 hour 45 minutes: about 15 minutes slower than I would liked but this was the first time I had run that far since probably May/ June.

Shoes = superb (bit of discomfort on ball of right foot when on road but this disappeared towards the end).

Have mapped out a exercise regime to experiment with over the next 2 weeks:

• Monday: Cycle + Run (beach)


• Tuesday: Swim or 5-aside


• Wednesday: Swim + Cycle


• Thursday: Cycle + Run


• Friday: Swim


• Saturday: Cycle (with Perranporth Posse)


• Sunday: Swim (and Run?)

Aim for next few weeks is to do the least equivalent of 1/2 ironman each week - 80 lengths swim + 56 miles on the bike + 13 miles of running. (this is not based on any scientific rationale - I have various books that I should refer to in putting together a 'training plan')

P.S. When looking for a picture to accompany this blog I came across the Cornwall County Council website which nicely describes the coast path. Not sure about the distance they give of 4 miles though! (I always thought it was further...)

Fine example of lack of resolve

Yesterday when I got back from cycle I resolved (again) to give up coffee. About 1/2 hour later Julie said did I want a coffee, I said 'yes'.

(Is it coincidence that Arsenal's new found resolve/ purpose faltered - leaving them 'outplayed' by Aston Villa, after sparkling performances against Man Utd and Wigan?)

Wesley Road

Cycled to Mum and Dad's this morning (Mawgan Porth). Felt tired, especially at Cubert on the way back when I got 'lost'. (Must remember to turn left at roundabout at end of Wesley Road - I always go right! Some quite challenging hills on route and I was over dressed for temperature (extremely mild).

My plan for months leading up Norseman is beginning to take shape. I aim to do a number of challenging events in April 2009 and then 'rest' in May before picking the intensity up in June and first two weeks of July 2009. Events considered for April include:

• 19/4 - North Cornwall Tor (100m cycle - very tough)


• 26/4 - 3 peaks race (marathon in Yorkshire Dales)


• 4/4 - Cornwall Coastal Marathon (very tough)


• 5/4 - Cornwall Coastal Trail Quest (?)

The only one I have entered to date is North Cornwall Tor (and despite my best efforts I have yet to persuade either of the two James' to join me...).

(I had not noticed that the road out of Cubert was called Wesley Road until this morning - maybe a sign should restart my project to write a play about John Wesley!)

My default settings = Not good

This week saw me getting in a bit of a flap at work (I say 'bit' - if I had wings I would taken off!), drink coffee by the bucket load, spend too much time, unnecessarily, in the office and only cycle twice. No swims and 1/2 a run... Hardly the stuff of a focused Norseman in the making.

Also, messed everyone around re 5-aside - I thought Julie might like to watch my play as a 'warm up act' for Eddie Izzard. (Well to be honest I never actually thought Julie would, especially given the fact that despite the fixtures being rearranged to give me a chance of playing and getting to the theatre it would have been tight...). The team did well without me and probably would have done better still if they had not had to play twice in a row - due to my rearrangement of fixtures!

Eddie Izzard was superb... Click here for a review. Some people can ad lib...

Snarly sea

In the sea this morning at Newquay Bay. Si went for a surf at Towan I jogged up the beach (tide was out) to Great Western/ Tolcarne before entering the sea for swim back towards the harbour.

It was a snarly sea even when I got out behind waves, there was a lot of (wind) chop and I swallowed more water than I usually do or than I liked!

Si confirmed it was 'ages' before I came into sight of the surfers who were at Towan. Realised I had not been in for proper swim for 3 weeks and it was only towards end of swim that I felt I was swimming with any strength or purpose. Now resolved to get in pool at least 2 x week, starting on Wednesday morning before work.

Si said the sea was not that friendly for surfers either - dumping.

No sea swim/ surf next weekend as Si is away so I will go for my first long run of the Winter (may even wear my Boltons).

Obama - T shirt

I had texted Mark to bring me back an Obama t-shirt from his visit to USA for New York marathon but apparently his search was fruitless apart from XXXL sizes.

Anyway, over the last couple of days a thought has formed or rather a series of thoughts:

1. I could approach royzy to design an Obama t-shirt; and,
2. Ask Advertees to produce a small number of the royzy designs

From the news footage of the US election there would appear to be a multitude of designs out there so an alternative would be look on internet to see what is available.

Or I could just buy one or both of Obama's autobiographies, which I will probably do today.

'Siege mentality'

Well done to Arsenal team (all of you) for beating Man Utd yesterday.

I listened to the first half of the game on this laptop clothed only in my underpants. I say this not to excite or to vomit induce but as a statement of fact. I was feeling really warm after my Saturday morning cycle: I have to work to keep up. Really enjoyed the cycle, down to Godrevy via Camborne and back and can highly recommend coffee at Sunset Cafe at Gwithian: excellent.

Just three of us were out cycling yesterday and talking to one, Matt, on the home stretch discovered that he and I had been in a number of events together over the past few years. However, Matt finishing positions (towards the front of the field) contrasted to mine (towards the back) probably explain why our paths have not crossed in a conversational sense previously - as I said to Matt I would not have seen him unless it was an event with laps...

Title of the blog is reference to phrase Steve Claridge used on a few occasions yesterday to describe the atmosphere at the Emirates and perhaps the attitude of the players (after receiving stick from press over the last 10 days).

Resume of training over the last 4 weeks

On cycle into work this morning I compiled mental list of training done in the four weeks after we returned from Yorkshire.

Sum total:

• Cycled (14*20 + 35 + 25) = 340 miles;
• Run (3*2.5 + 2.5) = 10 miles; and,
• Swim (1 x long + 1 x short + ?) = 1-2 miles?

Need to 'ramp up' the running and swimming but good foundation for cycling.

(Note: could not go swimming on Tuesday as pool closed for refurbishment. Pool reopens on Monday and I might try and go before work on Wednesday's as well as after work on Tuesday or Thursday - depending on 5-aside)

I am in the Norseman

Received email today to say 'This is to inform you that we have accepted your entry for Norseman 2009!'

'Excellent news' response to my text informing Si summed up my feelings.

Julie had responded with 'you are the Norseman...' which may be a little premature - a lot of training lies between now and completing the event. Looking forward to it all of it.

I tried to explain to one of my bosses about the event, the swim in fjord, the first 2 hours of cycling being up hill, the final cut off point after 37.5 km of the run and the different t-shirts awarded to those that complete the final mountain run... Anyway, at the end of my little resume of the Norseman, John commented 'all of that for a t-shirt!'

I am excited!

Lack of spine?

'Lack of spine' is a criticism being levied at Arsenal at the moment (by Thomas Sorensen, Stoke - among others) and with a little change (to 'lack of resolve') is a charge I would levy it at me...

I have failed my traffic light system. As a reminder to myself on October I came up with a traffic light system to govern / try and influence my behaviour. Lights were:

• RED: Not to work past 5pm (unless imperative to do so)


• GREEN: Blog at least 3 x week (makes me feel better - exercising creative muscle!
  
• GREEN: Swim at least once during week - Thursday? Need to sort membership of pool.
  
• AMBER: Sell Endowment? Look into
  
• GREEN: Keep track of money spent/ log all expenditure AND make expense claims
  
• AMBER: Research costs etc for Norseman (to conclude by 27/10)
  
• RED: Coffee + cake during the week
  
• RED: Stop personal emails to work address etc
  
• AMBER: Friendships, start by returning emails, reading Blogs etc (Monday nights?)
  
• GREEN: Out with Simon M for bike ride on Saturday morning

So far I have kept to one green! I should find out about Norseman entry tomorrow and it is time to find new resolve. A positive outlook from now on (in recognition of how lucky I am - Julie is watching a programme which includes references to Aids, selling daughters and forced prostitution).

On a lighter (and a less self consumed) note I have been researching Richard I and to add to my existing knowledge ('I would sell London if I could find someone rich enough to buy it') I have discovered three unlucky omens shadowed his reign:

1. His father's corpse bled at the nose when he neared it. It was said that a corpse bled only in the presence of its murderer.
   
2. A bat flew around him in daylight at his coronation.
   
3. His sacred crusader's staff broke when he leaned upon it.

Still not sure why his statue is outside Westminster Abbey.

(P.S. Arsenal appear to have played ok tonight wasting 'a host of chances' in 0-0 draw).

President elect Barack Obama

Yes!

Vampiric self hate

Felt a tad down/ flat on cycle home tonight. Ended up composing a little poem that featured the lines.

False promises
Dissipate
Into vampiric
Self hate

(Or something similar). Anyway, I have cheered up and I am now blogging in front of open fire.

Norseman website indicates that event oversubscribed but I should hear by Thursday whether I am in. Fingers crossed.

Will go swimming tomorrow and start a Tuesday and/or Thursday night regime. Will aim to swim a least a mile each time I go to the pool this month and then step up to 160 lengths once a week by February/ March 2009: the Iron man swim is 3,800 metres - the equivalent of 156 lengths.

Watched the last 4 laps of Brazilian Grand prix yesterday and had not realised I could become so emotionally engaged in a motor race, particularly in such a small space of time. Well done Lewis.

Also congratulations to Mark and Rachel who both finished the New York marathon and to Paula (whose autobiography I will put on list for Santa...)

Good luck to Mark, Rachel and others

A friend of mine is doing the New York Marathon today - and has in fact just left for the start line at some ridiculously early time in the morning. Good luck to Mark, Rachel (his wife) and the rest of the team doing to marathon. Also, good luck to Paula.

Mark and Rachel will still be in New York when the US Presidential election results are announced: good luck Obama.

Also, good luck to Lewis Hamilton, in today's Grand Prix. Here's hoping you are crowned world champion.

(P.S. No news yet on whether I am in Norseman)

A sunday morning treat!

Met up with Si for a sea swim (no surf) this morning. Went in a Tolcarne after noting the waves were coming in sideways at South Fistral - wind swept. In the end we went in 3 times to get 'out back' - there wasn't really an outback today - and each time made little progress out and quite a lot across the beach: taking it in turns (it seemed) to see who could get closer to the rocks on the way back in... Superb fun (although I felt the sea was definitely reminding me who is the boss.)

Found an oasis in which to get changed after. I will keep the location secret on the remote possibility that someone reads this blog AND fancies an early Sunday morning swim in Newquay bay AND are there the next time Si and I want to use the spot again. Anyway, the spot is sheltered and has warm air coming out of some outlet pipe. As Si said it created a micro climate system. While we getting changed at a leisurely pace people began to exit nearby Hotel and one lady remarked she had looked up and saw 'a man taking his trousers off' and that was 'a nice Sunday morning treat'. So everyone happy.

Norseman registration submitted

Today I sent in my Norseman registration - now have fingers crossed. Should hear in the next few days.

Went for a cycle this morning with the Perranporth posse: which today included Stephen, Chris, Gareth and Matt. Three of these are doing an Iron man next year (2 doing Austria and one Switzerland). I have to admit I was found wanting when the pass was upped. In the end I took shorter route back - the excuse being that I wanted to get back to register for Norseman (registration opened at 12 noon) but I was tired...

Now listening to Metric (ok), and keeping an eye on teletext for sign of Arsenal recovery (currently 1-0 behind at Stoke and I can almost sense the collective head drop among the players - following chucking away 4-2 lead in closing minutes of last game out against Spurs...). Must be positive.

Julie has come up with great idea for accomodation / transport in Norway - a camper van. I will explore this further...